The Big, Bold Sign!

Bi"DO NOT PET" is what it says in all capital, bold letters on Cleo's vest.  To be frank, I am upset with the people who do not read the sign.  However, I realize that people just don't understand why they are not allowed to pet her.  I would like to enlighten everybody and answer any and all questions.  If by the end of this post you still have questions, feel free to ask in the comments.

       My partnership is a new one, yet I always knew the key rule: NO PETTING OR DISTRACTING IN ANY WAY.  Once I received Cleo I finally realized how often the key rule is not followed.  You are seeing a sweet and pretty dog that you just want to love on, but you can't.  You can't pet her because although she is a dog, her primary focus is always on helping me.  The fact that she is a dog means that you also can also distract her by petting with your voice.  You know, that high pitched, cutesy voice that is saved for the sweetest animals in the world; that is as distracting as petting.
       All service dog organizations are different, but CPL does not allow anyone but to pet, speak, or make eye contact with the dog, besides the handler, for the first six months of a partnership.  The reasoning behind this is so the dog knows all the ins and outs of their partner.  Our dogs can open doors , help take off jackets and other clothing, turn lights on/off, retrieve phones in an emergency situation, and so much more.  Our dogs can also alert to oxygen levels, diabetes, cardiac conditions, seizures, and so many other health conditions.  By distracting Cleo or any other service dog, you could possibly be distr acting them from catching a medical episode or from an important task.m some of the dogs are trained to help people with balance issues.  When the dog is on a stand/stay they could be dangerous for the person leaning on the dog for support.
       So, please read the sign. 

Lazy Day/Busy Day

We didn't leave the house today, but we were productive.
       Out to potty, breakfast, and then a little rest is how the day starts.  Cleo got treated like crazy today because she was so great!  We started out with our daily obedience and then worked on some skills.  We worked on bag carries and retrieval.  We also worked on her pushing my foot back onto my foot plate.  We reached great strides with that one.  Food refusal went well; she definitely knows what "leave it" means wether she chooses to listen or not.
       I am so grateful to have her.  I love her to death!  Although today was a lazy day we were busy. 

Still Figuring Things Out

Yeah, so, disgusting realization today: Cleo eats from the cats litter box!  How do I stop this?  I felt like it was going to happen.  We can't close the door to that room because what if Felix, our cat, needs his litter box.  I have been trying to enforce "leave it" and treat when the command is listened to.  I almost want to pour hydrogen peroxide down her throat!  That can't be good!
       We went to an SSI appointment today.  We were running because I was almost late to my appointment.  She kept great pace with me.  When we got home we worked on some daily obedience and service skills.
       At about two o'clock in the afternoon the mailman came and Cleo barked loud enough to spook everyone in the house.  A strong "knock it off" and a little bit of playtime took care of that.  I have to figure out how to occupy her when I don't feel up to playing.  Thinking of stuffing a large Kong and stuffing it with frozen food.
       Well, probably going to brush Cleo's teeth tonight.  Trimmed her nails last night.  Definitely still figuring things out!

First Day

I am back at 40,000 feet in the air, but this time with Cleo by my side.
     Today started last night when my Aunt drove us to the airport at seven o'clock in the evening to ensure our timely arrival.  We ended up going straight to the hotel after graduation to pack up and leave.  Cleo did not know what the heck was going on, but with her mom by her side she went along for the ride.  It ended up working out quite well.  Everything went as planned… except for the car camping.
       Waking up at five in the morning hit me hard as I still need to catch up on a months worth of sleep.  As we were walking into the airport there was a man sleeping on a bench with a white blanket.  For some reason Cleo decided to bark at that person.  I love that she wants to protect mommy but let's keep it less vocal.  I corrected her with a "knock it off" and then rewarded quiet behavior.  The rest of the airport seemed to be a quiet one.
       When we passed through TSA there was a little argument about sending Cleo through the scanner.  I am not at the point of feeling comfortable enough to lett her prance around the airport naked.  I held my ground and we both got a pat down.
       Hopefully Cleo likes her new home and feline brother.  I hope she's not too mad at me about no breakfast, either.  No one wants any accidents!

Graduation Speech

For about five years I searched and searched for a service dog organization that would help me.  You see, the thing that every other organization had a problem with is that I'm visually impaired and have a phisical disability.  I literally emailed and called and applied to every single organization that was ADI certified.  One organization actually said, "You can't be blind and physically disabled."  Well, obviously you can be because I am.  No one wanted to take the challenge… and then I found CPL!
      In November of 2014 I came all the way from San Diego, California for my interview.  I worked with a few dogs and got asked the questions.  What did I want in a dog?  Calm, always looking out for me, and cuddly - those are the words to describe Cleo!
       When I got home from the interview my health took a plummeting down fall off a cliff.  At least that's what it felt like to me.  My parents are worried to leave me home a lone for too long, now.  Cleo will certainly change that by making me and my parents feel more comfortable ble being alone.  I will be safe with her by my side!  I will also be going to college in the fall and she will be able to look out for me and alert to my low oxygen or pain.  Alerting is an added bonus that she caught on to!
       I missed my high school graduation, grad night, and prom for this but Cleo is well worth it!